Updated on October 5, 2014 at 8:42 AMPosted on October 4, 2014 at 8:00 PM

Richard Sacra

Dr. Rick Sacra, an American doctor who contracted the Ebola virus in Africa, listens to a reporter's question during a media availability at the University of Massachusetts Medical School Friday Sept. 26, 2014 in Worcester, Mass. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)
(Stephan Savoia)

Dr. Richard Sacra, who in September was treated for Ebola virus at the Nebraska Medical Center and then released after the CDC confirmed that treatment had rendered him virus-free, was hospitalized Saturday at UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester for treatment of what appears to be an upper respiratory tract infection.

Although doctors think Sacra's illness is likely not a recurrence of Ebola, UMass Memorial officials have isolated him until they have confirmation of his illness, sometime within the next 36 hours, per guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

"Dr. Sacra is in stable condition and being monitored carefully. We're waiting for final test results from the CDC which we expect to receive late Monday," Dr. Robert Finberg, a professor and chairman of medicine at the hospital, said in a news release Saturday night. Finberg is an infectious disease expert leading Sacra's team of doctors.

"We are isolating Dr. Sacra to be cautious pending final confirmation of his illness. We think it is highly unlikely that he has Ebola. We suspect he has an upper respiratory tract infection, with symptoms of cough and conjunctivitis," he said.

UMass Memorial is working closely with the CDC and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, and carefully following specific plans and guidelines for the management of patients with possible Ebola.

The hospital is well equipped to handle infectious disease assessment and containment, according to the release. There is no risk to the general public and all appropriate precautions are being taken to protect the patient's caregivers, officials said.

Original Story:WORCESTER — Although there have been no confirmed cases of Ebola in Massachusetts, on Saturday doctors at the UMass Memorial Medical Center were evaluating a patient with a history of travel to and from West Africa for possible Ebola.

"Though our physicians believe this is likely not Ebola, in the interest of safety, we are isolating the patient until we have confirmation." Margaret Thrappas, director of marketing and interim director of media and public relations, said in a statement Saturday night.

"We are working closely with the Centers for Disease Control and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, and carefully following specific plans and guidelines for the management of patients with suspected Ebola," Thrappas said.

She stressed that there is no risk to the general public and all appropriate precautions are being taken to protect the patient's caregivers.

"UMass Memorial Medical Center is well equipped to handle infectious disease assessment and containment," she said.

On Friday, the hospital issued a statement saying that a person who had recently traveled from West Africa had been treated at the hospital for a minor injury, but that person was determined to have no symptoms or exposure to Ebola.